Yellow-billed Magpie

Yellow-billed Magpie and West Nile virus

The Yellow-billed Magpie’s range is limited to the Central Valley and Central Coast Ranges of California. This California native bird suffered dramatic mortality from West Nile virus (WNV). During 2004-2007 thousands of dead magpies were reported to California Department of Health Services WNV Dead Bird Surveillance Program. During that time, of the >800 tested, on average approximately 80% tested positive for WNV, the highest WNV-positive percentage of all birds tested in California.

Habitat needs of Yellow-billed Magpies; field-collected data and computer modeling to describe the climate and vegetation types - see work of Levi Souza

Through collaborations with members of the Yellow-billed Magpie Working Group, the public through Magpie Monitor Program (2004-2010), California Department of Fish and Game, PRBO Conservation Science, The Audubon Society, and other agencies, organizations and ornithologists, we implemented studies to estimate their population size, loss of genetic diversity due to WNV, and viability over time.